naked raygun

10 alternative artists who have defined Riot Fest throughout the years

Over the years, Riot Fest has taken over Chicago’s Douglas Park with circus sideshows, carnival games and, most importantly, an incredible lineup. But its history stretches even further back, drawing people of all ages and backgrounds between its hub and offshoots in Toronto and Denver. The festival has been running for 15 years strong, solidifying […]

These 15 punk guitarists of the '80s set the standards for the future

Welcome to Alternative Press’ list of the 15 greatest punk guitarists of the ’80s. As the timeline shifted from the ’70s into the new decade, the music changed. Punk had morphed from stripped-down, high-speed rock ’n’ roll with a nasty attitude. It was now faster and louder than the already fast and loud sound, with […]

These 15 punk albums from 1988 helped shape alternative rock's future

Welcome to Alternative Press’ list of the best punk albums from 1988. Which, at the time, would have had most folks scratching their heads. After all, in 1988, the entire world thought punk rock was dead. Look at the charts: Guns N’ Roses and the more lightweight Sunset Strip glam-metal acts were defining “rock ’n’ […]

These 10 legendary Riot Fest reunions are keeping us stoked for 2021

Making plans with your Netflix queue this weekend? Finishing your novel? Working on that jigsaw puzzle you had made of the orange sky on the West Coast? Whatever you’re doing, we’re damned confident it’s not as great as this year’s Riot Fest lineup. This year’s event looked like the ultimate rock ’n’ roll weekend. We […]

These 15 punk albums from 1985 are the roots of alternative rock 

The year is 1985: Punk’s now 10 years old and changing again. Hardcore was now a formula: 1. Pick a seemingly random number of initials for your name (Say, SRI – Social Reagan Injustice); 2. Play at light speed. 3. Sing about how you hate Reagan and nuclear war. 4. Shave your head. Like rock […]

Riot Fest Oral History: The Misfits and Jawbreaker reunions we never thought we'd see

Over the past decade, Riot Fest has become one of the most beloved festivals in the world. They have reunited some of punk’s most iconic bands, and, in many ways, set the bar for how genuinely great a music festival can be. But when founder Mike Petryshyn started out in 2005, literally none of this […]

Riot Fest Oral History: Making music history—and overcoming dark times

Over the past decade, Riot Fest has become one of the most beloved festivals in the world. They have reunited some of punk’s most iconic bands, and, in many ways, set the bar for how genuinely great a music festival can be. But when founder Mike Petryshyn started out in 2005, literally none of this […]

Riot Fest Oral History: The unlikely story of punk rock’s most beloved festival

Over the past decade, Riot Fest has become one of the most beloved festivals in the world. They have reunited some of punk’s most iconic bands, and, in many ways, set the bar for how genuinely great a music festival can be. But when founder Mike Petryshyn started out in 2005, literally none of this […]

Bands are being transformed into Garbage Pail Kids in new Riot Fest trading cards

Next weekend is Chicago's Riot Fest, and appearing on their merch tables will be more than t-shirts and posters. This year, they scored a deal with Topps that allowed them to transform some of the bands in their lineup into Garbage Pail Kids, and also some other musicians that they just wanted to see in […]

The Bomb (Naked Raygun, Methadones) stream new song, “Silent Fall” (exclusive)

Chicago’s the Bomb (featuring members of Naked Raygun and the Methadones) are teaming up with AP to bring you their new single, “Silent Fall.” The track is taken from the band’s upcoming vinyl EP, The Axis Of Awesome, which comes out March 17 on No Idea Records. (Pre-order it now.) Check it out below, and […]

15 bands you absolutely must watch at Riot Fest Chicago this weekend

September is finally here, and you know what that means: It’s Riot Fest season! Riot Fest has quickly become the AP staff’s favorite festival of the year, with its insane lineups full of unexpected reunions and legends rubbing shoulders with up-and-comers. All three Riot Fests—Toronto, Chicago and Denver—share some lineup overlap. No matter which one […]

Dead Ending (members of Alkaline Trio, Rise Against) stream "All The Villains You Call Boss"

Chicago hardcore/punk band Dead Ending are streaming a new song titled “All The Villains You Call Boss.” They will release their DE III EP on April 15 via Bridge Nine Records. It features guest vocals from Jake Burns (Stiff Little Fingers) and Jeff Pezzati (Naked Raygun). Pre-orders can be obtained from the B9 Store. The EP will follow the […]

Dead Ending (Rise Against, Alkaline Trio) sign to Bridge Nine Records

Bridge Nine Records have announced the signing of Chicago hardcore/punk band Dead Ending. The band is made up of members of Rise Against, Alkaline Trio, Articles Of Faith and All Eyes West. Dead Ending will release their DE III EP this April via Bridge Nine Records. The EP also features guest vocals from Jake Burns […]

Watch Fall Out Boy cover Naked Raygun's "New Dreams," with frontman Jeff Pezzati

Fall Out Boy covered Chicago punk band Naked Raygun's classic song “New Dreams” last Friday night at Riot Fest, with the help of Naked Raygun frontman Jeff Pezzati. “New Dreams” originally appeared as the closing track of the band's 1986 album, All Rise. Check out a video of the performance, via The A.V. Club: The Jeff Pezzati appearance comes less […]